Indian Wells and La Quinta prepare for Half Ironman, which includes a 56-mile bike ride and 13-mile run

2014 U.S. hockey silver medalist Lyndsey Fry of Chandler will be among 3,000 triathletes competing in Ironman Arizona in Tempe.

Dani Fischer celebrates after being the first female competitor to cross the finish line during Ironman 70.3 at the Prairie Creek Reservoir Saturday morning. The half triathlon consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run. (Photo11: Jordan Kartholl / The Star Press)

The cities of Indian Wells and La Quinta are hoping you put one more thing on your New Year’s resolution list – training for Ironman.

The cities will host an Ironman 70.3 race, commonly known as a Half Ironman on December 9, with the race returning on Dec. 15, 2019 and Dec. 13, 2020 the following years, per a three-year agreement approved by the city councils in both cities prior to the holidays.

The competition includes a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run. The event would use the Indian Wells Tennis Garden as a home-base and Lake Cahuilla would be used as part of the course. (In comparison, a full Ironman race includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle race and a 26.2-mile run.)

La Quinta, Indian Wells and the Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau each agreed to contribute $75,000 to sponsor the event, which is expected to pump millions of dollars into the local economy.

Micaela Wilkey, Indian Wells management analyst, said during the Nov. 16 council meeting that studies have shown that the economic impact of the race on other host destination ranges from $3.5 to $7 million per year.

According to the Ironman presentation made at the Dec. 19 La Quinta council meeting, the average age of Ironman participants is 40 years old and 68 percent are males. The company’s marketing portfolio reaches more than 90,000 Iron Man registrants, many of which often travel to multiple events each year. The competition is marketed as a tourist attraction for host cities.

Wilkey said on average 81 percent of participants book hotels. Of those who participate, many travel to the race and bring three to four additional people with them for support, according to Ironman statistics.

Before the cities begin promoting the race, a few to-do’s need to be completed – the event logo needs to be finalized, a local Ironman race director must be named, the course route needs to be approved and the logistics of the event planning needs to be coordinated.

“With Ironman, we are committed to ensuring that it is a fun and safe event that minimizes impacts on our residents,” said Marcie Graham, La Quinta public information officer. . “We will hold an extensive public engagement and outreach effort to make sure the community is informed and that we gain their input to make this a successful triathlon.”

She said that the race seems like a natural fit for La Quinta, a community focused on health and wellness.

"Ironman will enhance that brand and will be an economic driver increasing economic activity at hotels, restaurants, and retail locations in the city,” Graham said.

Nate Mach, Salton Sea Triathlon Club president, spoke during the Dec. 19 La Quinta council meeting in support of the event.

He said he believes there is a large market for Ironman in the Coachella Valley and offered his assistance in coordinating the competition.

“The valley is growing for endurance athletes,” Mach said. “It’s very exciting that this may be happening. We already have some races that happen here in the valley that bring in a good number of racers that always have positive feedback and bring in high-level pros.”

Mach said the Salton Sea Triathlon Club has about 50 members that do Ironman and similar races all over the world. He said many people travel multiple times a year to participate in various races like this, attracting many tourists to the hotels, restaurants and shops to the hosting cities.

Indian Wells Councilman Dana Reed said he has received more positive feedback from residents about Ironman than anything else the council has discussed in the past three years. Reed said residents, friends and family all showed interest in the race. He joked that he couldn't go home if he didn't vote in support of the triathlon. Other council members concurred that they were excited to host the event and expected much participation.

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Desert Sun reporter Nicole Hayden covers the cities of La Quinta, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert. She can be reached at Nicole.Hayden@desertsun.com or (760) 778-4623. Follow her on Twitter @nicoleandpig.